Lionel Messi scored a characteristic screamer in the second half to give Argentina their first goal after Mexico sat back for much of the half, making it difficult for their opponents to find a way through. Enzo Fernandez, 21, then scored the second goal late in the game to give Argentina a much-needed cushion, and they went on to win the game.

Argentina overcame Mexico 2-0 in Group C to remain in the competition, with Lionel Messi scoring 1 and Enzo Fernandez adding another. Argentina couldn’t afford another defeat after losing their first game to Saudi Arabia. Mexico frustrated them for most of the game until Messi produced a moment of brilliance at the Lusail Stadium. Fernandez, who entered the game as a second-half substitute, scored three minutes before the end of regulation time to seal the victory.

Key Highlights of the Match

45 min: Mexico registers the first shot on target as Vega’s free-kick saved

51 min: Messi’s first attempted shot sees him sky a free kick

64 min: Messi scores a brilliant opener from Di Maria’s pass

87 min: Fernandez adds Argentina’s late second

Squads of Argentina and Mexico

Argentina squad: Argentina Emiliano Martinez; Montiel, Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Acuna; Di Maria, De Paul, Rodriguez, Mac Allister; Messi, Lautaro Martinez.

Substitutes: Armani, Rulli, Foyth, Tagliafico, Paredes, Pezzella, Alvarez, Romero, Palacios, Correa, Almada, Gomez, Dybala, Fernandez, Molina.

Mexico squa: Ochoa; K Alvarez, Araujo, Montes, Moreno, Gallardo; Herrera, Chavez, Guardado; Lozano, Vega.

Substitutes: Talavera, Cota, E Alvarez, Vasquez, Arteaga, Romo, Rodriguez, Jimenez, Funes Mori, Gutierrez, Pineda, Sanchez, Martin, Antuna, Alvarado

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